The second eliminator match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 2021) was played between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Peshawar Zalmi, who made it to the second eliminator by defeating Karachi Kings in the first eliminator of PSL 2021 on Monday night, has made it to the final after registering a win for the second day in a row.
Peshawar defeated Islamabad United by 8 wickets in the second eliminator match to seal their place in the title match, where they will now face Multan Sultans in the finals on June 24. But the match was somewhat overshadowed by a controversial moment in Islamabad’s innings when Peshawar were denied a substitute fielder after veteran fast bowler Mohammad Irfan left the field due to injury.
Not convinced with the nature of the injury, umpire Aleem Dar had a long discussion with Peshawar skipper Wahab Riaz, after which Haider Ali came on.
The 39-year-old pacer had earlier missed a game against Islamabad last week as well, leading the commentators to speculate that he carried an injury throughout.
“They don’t believe him,” former Zimbabwe international Pommie Mbangwa said from the commentary box.
“So what they’ve said is he’s bowled five deliveries with no trouble. And when he’s finished (his spell), he’s now saying ‘I can’t field, I’m injured.’
“It’s like the boy who cried wolf.”
Finally, after a gap of two over, Peshawar Zalmi was allowed a substitute fielder after the lengthy discussion between the involved parties.
“The neutral doctor, apparently, has said that yes, he is injured,” Bazid Khan noted in the commentary. “So they believe him now.”
Earlier in-form Afghanistan openers Hazratullah Zazai and Jonathan Wells defeated Islamabad United by eight wickets in the playoffs on Tuesday to guide Peshawar Zalmi to the fourth Pakistan Super League final. Left-hander Zazai scored 7, 66 off 44 balls, and Wales scored an unbeaten 55 in their first PSL game as Peshawar posted 177-2 with three overs to spare.
Now, Peshawar Zalmi are all set to feature in their fourth final against Multan Sultans, who will play their first. The marquee clash is set to take place on June 24.
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